Infant Sleep Position and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in the United States: Joint Commentary from the American Academy of Pediatrics and Selected Agencies of the Federal Government

Abstract

The preceding report describes new evidence from around the world linking infant prone sleeping position and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Other than in this report, much of the recent information has not yet been published, except in official governmental statistics reports from the various countries. Nevertheless, it seems clear that SIDS rates do decrease significantly after public campaigns aimed at reducing the incidence of prone sleeping. The initial concern, that a shift away from prone sleeping might result in an increase in undesirable complications, has not materialized. There have been no increases in disorders such as aspiration, acute life-threatening events, and vomiting, after infant sleeping position has changed almost exclusively to non-prone in several countries.